Dunfermline MSP Condemns UK Government Inaction on Fuel Poverty

13/01/2012

The UK Government has netted £1.4 billion in VAT from domestic energy bills over the last year, prompting Dunfermline SNP MSP Bill Walker to denounce their lack of action over Scottish fuel poverty as “scandalous”.

Mr Walker said: “It is a bitter irony that Scotland is an energy-rich country yet suffers from fuel poverty. Dunfermline residents are reminded of this, living close to Longannet Power Station, the largest energy generator in the country.

“While householders’ energy bills continue to soar, the UK Government enjoys revenues from Scotland but largely ignores the issue of fuel poverty, and I think that is scandalous.

“In contrast, the SNP Scottish Government has invested £50 million in the Warm Homes Fund. This follows from the success of the Energy Assistance Package, which has helped reduce the energy bills of over 150,000 people from the most vulnerable households, keeping their homes warm now and in the future.

News of the UK Chancellor’s £1.4 billion windfall comes amid fears that consumers could see yet more steep increases this summer from the six main energy companies, netting a further £150 million for the UK Government.

Dr Eilidh Whiteford, MP and SNP Work and Pensions spokesperson, also demanded the UK Government do more to help cash-strapped householders.

She said: “While vulnerable households in Scotland worry how they are going to afford their winter fuel bills the Chancellor is raking in record amounts of VAT from gas and electricity bills.

“Fuel poverty is a disgrace in energy-rich Scotland, and if the UK Government does not want to help then they should transfer the energy and economic powers from Westminster to the Scottish Parliament to allow the Scottish Government to act.”